Students, parents, alumni and co-workers gathered to say goodbye to teachers Teresa Arcuri and Linna McDonald as ended their years of educating the youth at St. Stanislaus Kostka.

McDonald has taught at St. Stans, located at Grand Avenue and 61st Street in Maspeth, for the past 13 years alongside Arcuri, who has been at the school for 33 years.

The two were showered with thanks, hugs, flowers, and tears as the two retiring women, wearing crowns that were given to them as gifts, watched performances by the students.

“After many years of dedication and hard work, we bid a fond farewell to Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. Arcuri, who for the past 33 years and 13 years, have given their heart and soul to our St. Stan family,” said alumni and St. Stan's parent Pat Powers. “We have appreciated everything they've done for our children and we will miss them, but we wish them all good things to come.”

Both parents and teachers said the two women had a tremendous impact on the school.

“They have been tireless in their work,” Powers said. “They are always so willing to help everyone and they do it with a smile all the time.”

“She was my partner, and she took me under her wing,” said teacher Cathy Mangone. “I am who I am today because of the guidance she gave me. I can't begin to say how much of a better person I am because I knew those two women.”